Undeterred by that rebuffing, the Bruins and new head coach Jim Mora went with the same professional tack in their effort to fill the vacant position. This time, the pursuit paid off.

As first reported by the Los Angeles Times, UCLA announced that Lou Spanos has been named as the Bruins’ new coordinator. Spanos has spent the past three seasons as an assistant with the Washington Redskins, coaching the linebackers last season.

Prior to that, he spent 15 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a defensive assistant.

“I am thrilled a coach with Lou’s NFL background and defensive pedigree has agreed to join our staff,” Mora said in a statement. “I’d like to thank [athletic director] Dan Guerrero for his support as we sought to bring the finest coaches in football to UCLA. We have a collection of men that will not only be mentors to our student-athletes, but given their experience at the highest levels of football, will also be able to provide them a blueprint for competing and winning, and reaching their athletic potential.”